Getting braces marks the beginning of a significant change for your smile, requiring a temporary shift in eating habits. Immediately following the placement of the brackets and wires, a period of adjustment is necessary to manage mouth sensitivity and protect the new hardware. Understanding what to eat after getting braces on is the first step in ensuring a comfortable transition and a successful treatment outcome.
Understanding the Initial Discomfort
The soreness experienced after getting braces is a normal physiological response to the force applied to the teeth. Braces work by exerting constant, gentle pressure on the teeth and the surrounding structures. This pressure stimulates a biological process that remodels the bone and moves the teeth into their desired position, which causes temporary inflammation and tenderness.
This acute sensitivity, particularly when biting or chewing, typically lasts between three and seven days after the initial placement or subsequent adjustments. The soft tissues of the mouth, such as the cheeks, lips, and tongue, also need time to adapt to the new metal surfaces, and the initial rubbing can cause mild irritation. During this first week, the discomfort necessitates a diet of very soft options, as it is difficult to manage food that requires significant effort to break down.
Safe and Soft Foods for Immediate Relief
For the first few days, focus on foods that require minimal to no chewing to avoid painful pressure on sensitive teeth. Smoothies and nutrient-rich soups, especially pureed varieties, are excellent choices as they provide hydration and sustenance without requiring mastication. A warm (not hot) broth can also be particularly soothing to the gums and is easily consumed.
Dairy products are naturally soft and gentle on a sensitive mouth, including yogurt, soft cheeses like cottage cheese or ricotta, and puddings. When choosing yogurt or smoothies, select plain varieties or those without hard inclusions like granola, nuts, or seeds, which could irritate the mouth or get stuck in the appliances. Protein sources can be managed by eating soft-cooked eggs, such as scrambled or soft-boiled, as well as very tender, flaky fish like salmon or cod.
Well-cooked grains and starches also form a staple of the immediate soft diet, including mashed potatoes, soft oatmeal, and pasta cooked until very tender. Even when eating these soft foods, cut them into small, manageable pieces and chew carefully with the back teeth to minimize the strain on the front teeth and the new appliances. Foods that are overly acidic, spicy, or at extreme temperatures (such as ice cream or very hot beverages) should be avoided initially, as they can exacerbate temporary tooth sensitivity.
Foods That Must Be Avoided
Certain foods must be avoided for the entire duration of orthodontic treatment, as they pose a direct threat to the integrity of the brackets and wires. Hard or crunchy foods are the primary culprits for appliance damage, as the force required to break them down can snap an archwire or dislodge a bracket. This category includes:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard candies
- Popcorn kernels
- Hard crusts on breads or pizza
Sticky and chewy foods are equally problematic because they can adhere to the hardware and exert a pulling force that bends the wires or even pulls a bracket completely off the tooth. Examples of these foods are chewing gum, taffy, caramels, licorice, and chewy snack bars. Furthermore, foods that require biting directly into them, such as whole apples or corn on the cob, must be avoided.
Strategies for Returning to a Regular Diet
Once the initial soreness subsides, typically after about a week, the diet can gradually expand beyond purely liquid and mashed foods. The need to protect the braces remains constant, so the long-term strategy involves modifying how certain foods are consumed. For instance, raw vegetables like carrots and fruits like apples can be eaten safely if they are first cut into small, bite-sized pieces and chewed with the back teeth only.
Meats that require significant tearing or chewing, such as tough steak or jerky, should be avoided. However, tender meats, poultry, or shredded chicken are generally safe options. The absolute avoidance list—hard, sticky, and chewy items—remains in effect for the entire treatment period to prevent emergency trips to the orthodontist for repairs. Thoughtful preparation and mindful eating ensure the appliances stay intact.